# NTSB CEN09LA225: Air Tractor AT-602, N5189P, Ville Platte, LA, March 22, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 22, 2009, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Ville Platte, LA - Coordinates: 30.690052, -92.280387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6901&lon=-92.2804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73530/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA225 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power transmission lines during an aerial application run. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-602, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390309), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an aerial application run, the agricultural airplane impacted a set of power lines. The pilot had flown the field 6 to 7 times and reported that he knew the power transmissions lines were there. The airplane impacted terrain approximately a mile from the power lines, following the collision with the power lines. ## Factual narrative On March 22, 2009, approximately 0800 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-602 single-engine agricultural airplane, N5189P, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight near Ville Platte, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Central Farmers Co-Op, of Ville Platte, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot reported on the NTSB form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report, "that he had flown the field 6 to 7 times," and knew where the power transmission lines were. The pilot recalled approaching the power lines, followed by "wind, noise, debris, and wetness." He further remembered trying to "hang-on" and "land the airplane." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who examined the airplane on site, reported that about half of the vertical stabilizer and rudder had been torn off in the collision with the power lines. Following the power line impact, the airplane continued for about a mile before impacting the ground at the edge of the field. The inspector reported that the airplane was substantially damaged during the impact, and added that the pilot's safety belts were broken during the airplane's collision with the ground. The inspector also added that the pilot was wearing a safety helmet at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5189P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5189P-2009-11-19), registration cancelled 2009-11-19, S/N 602-0523, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-602 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-602](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-602) (registry code 0390309) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-66-series) (registry code 52118, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602-0523 - Airframe hours: 6103 - Engines: P&W CANADA PT6A-66 SER 850 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Central Farmers Co-Op - Registered owner: Central Farmers Co-Op - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2009 - Departed: Ville Platte, LA - Destination: Ville Platte, LA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 24, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 9,942 total, 2,936 in this make and model, 9,942 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090322003239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090322003239A), Mar 22, 2009: Airtrc AT602, Vidrine, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot attempted to fly under transmission lines while spraying a rice field. The rudder contacted the power lines causing the pilot to crash in a… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.